Senator Nozzolio Announces New Laws To Reduce Property Taxes And Protect Consumer Rights Will Take Effect In 2008

Albany – New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio today announced two new laws will take effect on January 1st that will provide additional property tax relief for New York families and a consumer bill of rights for airline passengers.

“My number one priority in the New York State Senate continues to be to lower property taxes for New York’s overburdened homeowners,” said Senator Nozzolio. “On January 1st, a new law that I fought to enact will take effect, providing an additional $1.3 billion so that New York property taxpayers can receive an increased rebate check in the fall of 2008. Even with this important tax relief, high property taxes continue to be an enormous problem in New York State and I will continue to work for even greater property tax relief.”

The tax rebates to be sent to homeowners in the fall of 2008 will represent the second year of a three-year expansion of the property tax rebate program. This year, New York State provided approximately $1 billion in rebate checks to homeowners. In the fall of 2008, the program is expected to provide rebates totaling $1.3 billion, with the taxpayers scheduled to receive property tax relief worth $1.53 billion in 2009.

In addition, a new law to effect on January 1, 2008 will include the Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights. This new law will provide passengers stranded at New York airports with basic amenities to make their wait more tolerable. Under the new law, all airlines at New York airports will be required to provide snacks and water, fresh air and power, and working restrooms for passengers on planes that leave the gate and sit on the tarmac for more than three hours.

The measure would also create an Office of Airline Consumer Advocate within the New York State Consumer Protection Board to provide the public with a New York State-based consumer advocate to help coordinate with appropriate airline industry officials, federal agencies and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the event an incident occurs. The Airline Consumer Advocate would refer any violations of the new law to the New York State Attorney General’s Office, who could seek a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per passenger per violation by an airline.